Korean Drama Review: "Pyramid Game" (파이러미드 게임 2024)

Korean Drama Review: "Pyramid Game" (2024)

1. (파이러미드 게임, TVING Original)
2. Genre: Psychological Thriller, School Drama, Mystery
3. Episodes: 10
4. Director: Park So-yeon (Work Later, Drink Now)
5. Writer: Chun Sung-il (based on the popular webtoon)

Starring:

1. Jang Da-ah as Sung Soo-ji (transfer student)
2. Bona (WJSN) as Baek Ha-rin (Queen of the class)
3. Ryu Da-in as Myung Ja-eun (Ha-rin’s right hand)
4. Jang Ji-ah as Kang Na-yeon (bullied target)

📌 Plot Summary

Sung Soo-ji, a new transfer student at Sehwa Girls’ High School, quickly realizes her class operates on a brutal secret ranking system—the Pyramid Game. Every month, students anonymously vote to rank their classmates from A (top) to F (bottom).

A-rankers get privileges (no chores, better treatment).

F-rankers become outcasts, subjected to relentless bullying.

No teachers or parents know—it’s a silent, student-run hierarchy.

When Soo-ji refuses to play along, she becomes a target. But instead of breaking, she plans to destroy the game from within.

🔍 Detailed Review

1. Themes & Social Commentary

✔ Brutal Allegory for Social Hierarchies – The drama mirrors real-life school bullying, workplace politics, and societal rankings.

✔ Psychological Manipulation – Unlike physical violence, the bullying is systemic, emotional, and insidious.

✔ Morality vs. Survival – Characters constantly choose between self-preservation and rebellion.

2. Characters & Performances

✅ Sung Soo-ji (Jang Da-ah) – The defiant transfer student. Her cold, calculating strategy to dismantle the system is gripping.

✅ Baek Ha-rin (Bona) – The queen bee who controls the game. Bona delivers a chilling, charismatic performance.

✅ Kang Na-yeon (Jang Ji-ah) – The main bullying victim. Her emotional breakdowns are heartbreaking.

✅ Myung Ja-eun (Ryu Da-in) – Ha-rin’s ruthless enforcer. A terrifyingly realistic bully.

3. Pacing & Tension

⚡ Fast-Paced & Intense – Every episode escalates the mind games.

⚡ No Fillers – Tight 10-episode structure keeps it gripping.

⚡ Cliffhangers – Ends each episode with shocking twists.

4. Cinematography & Tone

🎥 Dark, Claustrophobic Aesthetic – The school feels like a psychological prison.

🎭 No Sugarcoating – Shows bullying in its raw, cruel form (no romanticizing).

5. Ending & Message

❓ Does the system break? (No spoilers!)

💡 Final Takeaway: "The real monster isn’t one person—it’s the system that lets cruelty thrive."

👍👎 Pros & Cons

✅ Strengths:

✔ Unflinching look at systemic bullying

✔ Brilliant acting (especially Bona & Jang Da-ah)

✔ No unnecessary romance (pure thriller)

✔ Webtoon-accurate adaptation

❌ Weaknesses:

✖ Extremely dark (not for sensitive viewers)

✖ Some side characters underdeveloped

📊 Comparison to Similar Dramas

Drama Similarities Differences

The Glory Bullying revenge More graphic violence

All of Us Are Dead High school survival Zombies vs. psychological horror

Extracurricular Dark school secrets Crime-focused

🎯 Final Verdict: 9/10

"Pyramid Game" is a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers. It’s disturbing, thought-provoking, and brilliantly acted—but not for the faint-hearted.

Best for:

Fans of dark school dramas (The Glory, Weak Hero Class 1)

Viewers who like mind games & strategy (Squid Game, Liar Game)

Anyone who wants social commentary on bullying

Skip if: You prefer lighthearted or romantic school dramas.

🎥 Where to Watch?

TVING (Korea)

Paramount+ (International)

Viki (Subbed)

Would you like recommendations for similar dramas? 😊